Is Silicone Good for Your Hair?
Silicone is a safe ingredient used in many hair-care products, from sprays and serums to conditioners and shampoos. It's incredibly effective for adding shine, sealing in moisture and managing frizz. But what is silicone, and is it good for your hair?
Silicone sometimes gets a bad rap. However, it's non-toxic and safe, and there are many different kinds. Some are heavier and bond well to your strands; others are lighter and wash away easily. In addition, many silicone hair-care solutions, like those used in Better Not Younger products, are formulated to be non-drying. We’re here to take a closer look at silicones that are beneficial for your hair.
What Are Silicones?
Cosmetic grade silicones are synthetic polymers derived from silica. They are hydrophobic, which means they retain moisture while creating a protective yet breathable seal on the skin's surface. They’re also constructed of widely spaced, larger molecules. This is important for two reasons:
- The wide distance between molecules makes silicones an ideal transport system for active ingredients requiring a lengthy absorption time. These essential components remain on the skin’s surface, suspended in the inert silicone matrix, allowing them to be absorbed slowly.
- Their large molecular size makes it impossible for them to move past your epidermis, the outer layer of your skin.
Silicone is a favored ingredient in makeup and skincare because it helps give you a soft and smooth complexion. It also stops foundation, lipstick and other cosmetics from drying out.
What Types of Silicones Are Used in Hair-Care Products?
The types typically used in hair-care products are a lot thinner, lighter and stickier than other forms of silicone (i.e., caulk). They do not strip or damage your hair and are non-toxic. Silicones form a protective layer around your strands, shielding them from harmful elements.
An example of silicones used in hair products include:
- Amodimethicone: This type of silicone repels water but has unusual chemical properties that make it resist additional amodimethicone layers. A buildup is not likely with products containing amodimethicone because new coats can't form over layers already in place.
- Dimethicone: Dimethicone is noncomedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores.
- Cyclomethicone: Cyclomethicone improves product texture, helps your scalp retain moisture, and is exceptional at delivering key ingredients where they need to go.
What Are the Benefits of Amodimethicone?
According to cosmetic scientists, amodimethicone benefits include:
- Reduced flyaways
- Faster drying time
- Moisture retention, allowing for superior thermal protection and gentle, even heating
- Improved combability
- Increased hair strength and elasticity
- Decreased porosity
What Are the Benefits of Dimethicone?
Dimethicone helps give your hair or skincare products a "glide" or "slip" feel when you apply them, allowing them to spread smoothly across your body or hair.
When dimethicone is applied to your hair or scalp, it forms a physical barrier to seal in moisture, helping your hair remain frizz-free, and your skin stay hydrated. When used in rinses, conditioners and restorative hair products, combing is more manageable and adds shine.
Finally, it is an emollient that heightens skin softness by sealing the spaces between the dead cells of the skin’s outer layer. It doesn’t mix with your skin’s natural oil, called sebum, and besides being used in hair-care products, it's used in facial moisturizers, lotions and creams.
What Are the Benefits of Cyclomethicone?
Cyclomethicone helps improve the sensory feel and texture of your hair-care products. This form of silicone is appropriate for most people, including those with sensitive skin. Additionally, it's thought to improve the appearance of dry hair and may help reduce irritation.
Studies have shown that cyclomethicone does not block the pores in your skin. Further, because of its unstable molecules and evaporative properties, it doesn’t build up or form a barrier on your scalp or hair.
How Do Silicone Products Protect Your Hair?
As we stated above, the silicone in hair products protects your hair by locking in a thin waterproof layer, offering healthy benefits including:
- Sealing your cuticles to reduce porosity, making your hair less likely to absorb too much humidity or moisture from the air. This makes these products perfect for straightening or smoothing your locks.
- Lubricating your hair's surface, so it tangles less, feels smooth and brushes easier.
- Preventing any moisture inside your hair from escaping, making it an excellent conditioning ingredient.
When dimethicone and amodimethicone are added to hair-care products, they safeguard your hair from:
- High temperatures
- Wind
- Cold
- Sun damage
- Over-drying
Silicone’s Low Thermal Conductivity Is Good for Your Hair
Silicone has low thermal conductivity, much lower than glycerin, water or mineral oil. This reduces the transfer of heat through your hair's surface to its cortex.
Hairdryers, curling irons and other high-heat styling tools can climb to 320 degrees Fahrenheit, vaporizing any water inside your cortex. Hair that gets too hot can be damaged permanently; as a result, a protective silicone spray before styling can prevent or reduce this issue.
Gain Maximum Hydration and Protection from BNY Products
Better Not Younger uses beneficial silicone that is not only good for your hair but can improve the look and texture of your hair and scalp. In addition, the superior quality silicones used by BNY give your mane a glossy look and can be found in:
- Silver Lining Purple Butter Masque and Hair Redemption Restorative Butter Masque: BNY’s proprietary blend of five plant-based butters hydrate and nourish your hair along with silicone that smooths and restores your hair.
- New Dawn Activated Charcoal Scalp Cleanser: New Dawn utilizes the strength of activated charcoal to remove extra dirt and oils from your pores, scalp and hair. Amodimethicone locks in hydration, protecting your skin from irritation and dryness.
- No Remorse Heat Protection & Taming Spray: No Remorse is a light spray that dries clear and that locks in scalp and hair moisture. Mist it on prior to curling or straightening your hair; the amodimethicone and avocado oil will protect your hair from heat damage up to 450 degrees.
- Second Chance Repairing Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair and Wake Up Call Volumizing Conditioner: Second Chance includes argan oil, abundant in natural phenols that keep your hair and scalp from drying out. Wake Up Call contains bamboo silica to bolster moisture retention. Both products use silicones to increase shine, protect your aging hair from climate changes, and regulate hydration levels in your scalp and hair.
Better Not Younger Uses Silicone That’s Good for Your Hair
There are many silicones out there, but you can be confident the silicone used in Better Not Younger products is beneficial for your aging hair. They work synergistically with each well-thought-out ingredient in our formulas to improve tensile strength, protect from damage and enhance sheen.
To try out our Better Not Younger age-related hair-care products for yourself, check out our Online Shop page.
Tell Us: Which Better Not Younger products do you love for their smoothing and shine-enhancing effects? Share in the comments below!